All good things, they say, come to an end. I suppose it’s true and after many happy flights in JT my love affair with this particular old aeroplane is coming to a close. Life has become busy, with work and with being involved in the aviation charity, Take Off. And besides, after almost 25 years of flying, including doing it for a living, I think it’s time to pursue other things in my spare time for a while.
I have truly loved being involved with this old aeroplane and I will enjoy watching its continued evolution close by – it will be getting a new, more powerful engine, new wheels and brakes and will become a real old bush machine, so you never know – perhaps one day in its new incarnation, I may clamber back aboard its cramped cockpit and bounce into the wide and open skies of NE Scotland again. In the meantime, however, I will follow other adventures. I shall keep this blog updated from time to time with progress on JTs latest transformation and follow her continued career with interest, but otherwise posts will be as far and few between as they have been these last 12 months. The site will stay and I hope other flying, Auster and vintage enthusiasts will stop by now and again and enjoy browsing these pages.
It has been a fantastic way to fly – this old collection of steel tube, wood and fabric, with it’s little Continental 0-200 engine, has placed Scotland and all its wonder at my feet – she’s brought me the coastline of Britain, almost top to bottom, the mountains of the Highlands and a deserted, distant island beach, not to mention many happy days just playing in and out the local grass strips. Flying JT and meeting the other lucky folk who have and do fly her, has been an education, a pleasure and a privilege. Thank you JT and thank you the Aberdeen Auster Group. Long may both live on.
The Auster Diaries 
As you know, I’ve been following this blog since the start and it’s been great. I will miss the updates which never failed to inject some enthusiasm to get back into the air. It sounds like JT will be getting a fresh start and I can’t believe you’ll be able to keep away!
Kind words. Thanks mate and, you’re probably right!
No, get out of here, and knock me down with a feather! Good luck with the next chapter, and what a great experience, and photo! Cheers, Baz
Thanks Baz. 🙂 You too!
I have just found this site and am so happy that JT is still doing what she does best – flying!
I was lucky enough to have all my flight training on JT when she was at the Merlin Flying Club. I had my first flight in her on Dec 8th 1974. As my flying instructor, Gerry Price used to say, “you have to fly her – she won’t fly herself – use the rudder!”. I loved JT. A real aircraft to fly, without having to think about flaps (just side-slip her down). All together I managed to get about 65 hours on her, before she left us. Over the years I’d wondered what might have become of her. It’s good to know she’s still going strong. Wonderful times and very fond memories…
Jan Hawranke
Great to hear from you Jim and thanks for sharing some of your memories. JTs owner has done a great job of keeping her airborne over the years and as above, she’s about to get a new lease of life that will hopefully see her going strong for years to come, yet.